Stretcher for felt, fabric, or the like.



No. 728,682. A PATLBNTBD MAY 19, 190s.

E. DBDIGKE.

STRETGHER' PoR FELT, FABRIC, o R THB L'IKB.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. ,10. 1902.

--B'O MODEL 2 SHEETS-SHEET L 'PATENTBD MAY 19, 1903.

Ef.' DEDIQKB.` STRETGHBRFOR FELT, FABRIC, .0R THF. LIKE.

y APPLIOATIDN FILED JAN. 10. 1962.

2 .SHEETs-sH-EET .2.

xo MODEL.

lUNITED STATES atented May 19, 1901?.y

PATENT OFFICE.

STRETCHER FOR FELT, FABRIC, OR TH LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 728,682, dated May 19,1902.3.

I Application led January 10, 1902. Serial No. 89,202. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDUARDv DEDICKE, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Dolgeville, in the county of Herkimer and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inStretchers for Felt, Fabric, or the Like; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled iu the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention aims to provide means for' stretching goods, andparticularly felt designed for the hammers of pianos, so as to take outthe fulling wrinkles and provide a smooth surface and even texture,which is most desirable in this class of work.

While the device is designed most especially for stretching piano-hammerfelt, it may be used for stretching felt or material of any kind.

The felt after beingpulled and prior to dryf ing is stretched andremainsunder tension during the drying process and is not released fromtension until thoroughly dried, and in order that the work may be.economically eeoted a plurality of frames are provided for cooperationwith a single straining de# vice, each frame being constructed formaintaining the felt under tension when strained.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowl edge of the details of construction of the meansforeecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand drawings hereto attached. Y

While the essential and characteristicfeatures of the invention aresusceptible of modiication, still the preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure1 is a top plan View of the invention, showing the stretcher-frameapplied to the straining device. Fig. 2 isa vertical section. Fig. 3 isa perspective View of"the stretcher-frame. Fig. 4 is a transversesection. Fig. 5 is a detail section of an end bar, showing a piece ofpiano-hammer felt clamped thereto.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the' drawings by the samereference characters.

The stretcher-frame consists of longitudinal bars 1, a fixed end bar 2,and a movable end bar 3. The longitudinal bars 1 are firmly connected atone end to the fixed bar 2 and move freely through openings near theends of the adjustable bar 3. Ratchet-teethtare provided upon each ofthe longitudinal bars 1 and are adapted to be engaged by dogs 5, carriedby the movable bar 3, so as to hold the latter in an adjusted positionwhen the felt or goods is subjected to tension. The end bars 2 and 3 areprovided with clamps for gripping the edge of the felt to be stretched,and inasmuchas each of the clamps is constructed substantially alike adetailed description of one only will be given. The clamp-har 6 isconnected by bolts 7 or analogous fastenings to the end bar, the felt orgoods being gripped between the. said bar 6 and the end bar to which itis connected. A series of pins 8 project from the end bars and areadapted to enter openings 9 in the clampbar 6, and these pins penetratethe felt and prevent slipping thereof. By having the points ofthe pins 8enter openings 9 in the clam p-bar 6 said pins are supported at eachside of the felt and are not liable to be wrenched from their bearingswhen the felt or goods is subjected to strain. A strip 10 extendsalongthe outer edge of each end bar and Aconstitutes a stop to limit themovement `of the clamp-bar 6 toward its cooperating end bar and alsoinsures a straight edge to the felt or goods to be stretched, since thegoods has its edge crowded against the inner sideV of the stop. Each ofthe end bars is provided with eyes l1 or like attaching devices for apurpose presently to be explained.

The straining device consists of a substanl tial frame comprisingoppositely-disposed beams 12 and l3` and tie-beams 14. The framecomprising the beams 12, 13, and 14 is mounted upon a stand comprisingcornerposts 15 and longitudinal and transverse ties 16. Hooks 17 areapplied to the beam 13 and are positioned so as to engage with the eyes1l of the endv beam 2. Tension-screws 18 have screw-thread connectionwith the beam 12 and are provided at their inner ends IOO with hooks 19,having a swivel connection therewith,and their outer ends are madeangular to receive a crank-handle 20 or other means whereby rotation isimparted to the tension-screws for eecting a longitudinal movementthereof. The hooks 19 are located so as to make connection with the eyes1l of the movable end bar 3. Within the purview of the invention theparts 11, 17, and 19 may be replaced by equivalent means, which willenable the end bars ofthe stretcher-frames to make rm and detachableconnection with the beams 12 and 13 of the straining device.

The felt or material to be stretched has its opposite ends engaged withthe end bars 2 and 3 of the stretcher-frame by the clamp devices shownor any equivalent thereof, after which the stretcher-frame is fitted tothe straining device, its end bars being connected with the end beams 12and 13 in such a manner as to admit of positive movement of the end bar3 upon actuation of the set-screws 18. AsA the end bar 3 is drawn awayfrom the end bar 2 the felt is strained or stretched, and the dogs 5,riding over the ratchet-teeth 4 and engaging therewith, hold the bar 3when moved outward, hence prevent any rebound of the end bar 3 when theset-screws 18 are slackened and the stretcher -frame moved from thestraining device. The frame with the felt or goods stretched thereon isset aside until the felt is thoroughly dried, and in the meantime otherframes are used in connection with the straining device, therebyobviating the great cost which would be entailed if each stretcher-framewere provided with straining means.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- In amachine for stretching piano-felt or like material, the combination of astraining` mechanism comprising oppositely-disposed beams and tie-beams,hooks applied to one `of the beams, other hooks, tension-screws fittedto the opposite beam and having a swivel connection With thelast-mentioned hooks, a stretcher-frame independent of and adapted to befitted to the frame of the straining mechanism, and comprisinglongitudinal bars, a fixed end bar and a movable end bar, eyes appliedto the end bars to receive the aforesaid hooks, ratchet-teeth fitted tothe longitudinal bars, and dogs applied to the end portions of themovable end bar for cooperation with the said ratchet-teeth,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDUARD DEDICKE. Witnesses:

' H. M. GIBSON,

ALBERT L. LEAVITT.

